In the history of English literature, William Thackeray plays the role of the apostle of a realistic presentation of reality. In contrast to the romantics, who portrayed their heroes sublimely and sublimely, Thackeray does not idealize life, but appreciates its harsh and unpleasant truth. The writer himself, whose heroes live by the principle “the end justifies the means,” admitted that more than anything in the world he hates selfishness in all its manifestations. Snobbery, pride, greed of the British aristocrats and bourgeoisie - this is the target at which this outstanding novelist throws the spears of his destructive satire. Translation: Irinarch Vvedensky